No, it wasn’t a meteorite. The bright object seen over Mexico City on April 16, 2025, was a bolide—an exceptionally bright meteor that disintegrates in the atmosphere without reaching the ground. Here’s the breakdown:

What happened
A fiery object streaked across the sky around 3 a.m., visible in multiple states, producing a loud sonic boom as it fragmented at low altitude.

Key distinctions

Bolide: Explodes in the atmosphere (NASA defines it as a fireball brighter than the moon).

Meteorite: Survives atmospheric entry and lands on Earth (no evidence of fragments found here).

Size estimated at 1.5 meters (5 feet), posing no danger.

Scientific context
Bolides occur globally every few days, but most go unnoticed over oceans or unpopulated areas. This event gained attention due to its visibility over Mexico City (population 22+ million).

Experts confirmed no meteorite impact occurred. The loud rumble resulted from atmospheric disintegration, not ground contact.